Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) are distinct yet overlapping vascular pathologies influenced by structural, genetic, and inflammatory factors. The aortic architecture is not uniform and varies from the thoracic aorta to the abdominal aorta. With these basic understandings of the aortic structure and function in mind, it is clear that inflammation, genetics, and mechanical forces play important roles in the pathogenesis of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Additional research is needed to further understand the relationship between these factors.